Four-weekly refuse bin collections are here.

The new county wide bin collection scheme will begin this week after being given the go ahead earlier this year by cabinet following a year-long trail in more than 10,000 homes.

Councillor Donald Milne, cabinet member for environment, roads and facilities, said the year-long trial, together with extensive research before, during and after, found that recycling increased and so did the motivation to recycle.

Residents reported they were recycling new items, more items and some were even taking part for the first time.

Residents also found that many of their concerns about the change, such as fly-tipping, did not materialise.

He said: "Most people in Conwy recycle, but before the trial we found that over half the contents of people’s bins could have been recycled.

"Those lost materials ending up in landfill cost the community £1.6m every year.”

“Everyone benefits when we recycle more and thanks to the recycling efforts of those on the trial and the feedback they provided, we are confident that this new collection service will boost recycling rates further."

But the new four-weekly refuse bin collection has raised concerns with residents and town councillors who have expressed their concerns about the new scheme.

Llandudno town councillor, and former mayor, Carol Marubbi said it was a disgrace and problems were already beginning to crop up even before the four weekly collections were introduced.

She said: "There has been an increase in fly tipping and people have already reported sightings of rats and the four weekly collections haven't even come into force yet.

"What are people paying their council taxes for. Council have a duty of care to make people feel safe and keep the county clean."

A Llandudno resident, who said she had seen a rat in her back yard, said she wasn't against the four weekly collections, but there were some changes that needed to happen.

She said: "I've got two adults and one child that live here and we recycle everything we possibly can. When we had three weekly bin collections our refuse bin was never full, it was two thirds at most.

"However, we have cat letter trays. Council offer collections for nappies and other hygiene waste but there isn't anything for pets.

"During the summer our bin stinks, and while it is not going to be full still, with four weekly bin collections it is going to stink even more."

The council will continue to provide provides weekly recycling collections for: food waste, paper, card, cans, glass, plastics, Tetra Pak and even batteries.

While fortnightly collections will be made for green waste, textiles and small electricals.

Extra recycling containers are available free of charge, except additional reusable garden waste bags which can be purchased for £1.50.

There is also a new weekly nappy and incontinence products collection service for those families that need it.

Assisted collections for those that have difficulty moving their bins or recycling containers will continue to be available. Larger households may be able to request an extra bin under certain conditions.

Cllr Milne added: "We understand that people are concerned about any change in service – people had similar concerns before the trial.

"Given time to get used to the change and into the habit of recycling more, those concerns reduced and more people felt positive about the service."

Let us know about how your first four-weekly collection went by emailing patrick.glover@newsquest. co.uk.